ignore law requiring them to send layoff notices to their employees. thousands of workers are at risk of losing their jobs if the government can't make a deal to avoid massive looming defense cuts, mike emmanuel is live with more on the story. >> reporter: gregg, defense contractors feel like they are caught in a game of chicken between the white house and congress, ahead of major layoffs, notices are supposed to go out, 60 days in advance, and the obama administration says companies should not send them out. one contractor i talked to said that he is planning to tell his employees. >> even though you know it you can't tell them and puts us as a small business owner between a rock and a hard spot, we'll help you if you don't say anything before we go over the cliff, if we go over the cliff. >> he means the obama administration is telling contractors if they get sued for not sending out layoff notices, the government will pick up the tab. contractors like lockheed martin say they'll honor the request and hold off telling their workers but, two key repub